Family lawyers govern some of life’s most personal and emotionally charged matters, with divorce, parenting, property settlements and issues related to family violence passing across their desks daily. It’s a specialty where expertise must intersect with empathy, where you’re not only tasked with seeking the best outcomes for your clients, but guiding them through life’s toughest transitions.
For Sydney-based family lawyer, Katrene Halteh, it’s also been about learning to be a Lawyer, a Mum, and an entrepreneur, all at once. We spoke to Katrene, founder of Urban Family Lawyers, about her experiences in Family Law, reckoning with the illusion of perfection, rejecting traditional masculine leadership styles and finding purpose in the chaos.
Growing up as the daughter of immigrant parents from Palestine and Syria, Katrene had two career paths laid out for her: medicine or law. “Maths and science weren’t my strengths, so law became the natural choice,” she says.
Her career began in a suburban law firm, where she learned quickly that family law, wills and estates, and conveyancing often intersect with pivotal moments in people’s lives. “You’re not just drafting documents; you’re helping people make sense of the messiness of life,” she explains.
Katrene shares that going through a divorce while raising two children – just 2 and 5 at the time – was one of the most challenging periods of her life.
“Like anyone in that situation, I was faced with the same big questions: What’s best for my children? Should I try to keep the family home, even if it puts me under financial pressure? Where do we even begin to rebuild?”
If one thing was clear to Katrene, it was that she couldn’t afford a drawn-out court battle, so she let go of the idea of a perfect settlement in exchange for a clean break. Luckily, she had family to support her with the daily grind – school pickups, meals, whatever she and her children needed – but not everyone is so fortunate. “Many of the clients I meet have no safety net. Some are trapped in situations where compromise isn’t an option. When your basic needs or safety are at stake, court is often the only way forward,” she says.
In 2019, she founded Urban Family Lawyers, driven by the belief that clients need clarity, compassion, and practical solutions. “Divorce isn’t just about splitting assets,” she says. “It’s about helping people rebuild their lives with a sense of control.”
Despite the profession’s strides toward gender equality, challenges remain. “Women, particularly from culturally diverse backgrounds, still face uphill battles when it comes to securing senior roles,” she says. Meeting her idol, Camille Vasquez, at LawBizCon was a moment of validation. “Camille’s story reinforced what I’ve always believed: women don’t need to mimic traditional, masculine leadership styles. Our strength lies in empathy, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the human experience.”
“Let’s be real — it sucks sometimes” Katrene admits when asked about balancing a legal career with parenting. “The ‘perfect parent, perfect lawyer’ myth is exhausting.”
Studies show that working mothers in the legal profession face a disproportionate mental load, with one survey revealing that 78% feel pressured to excel equally at work and at home. Social media only adds to the pressure.
“One Christmas, I broke down after scrolling through Instagram’s picture-perfect holiday setups,” she says. “The next year, I ditched the apps and discovered the magic of self-compassion.” Her advice to fellow lawyer mums? “Cut yourself some slack. The messy, real-life version of you is already doing enough.”
Looking ahead, Katrene is optimistic. “We need to keep pushing for flexibility in legal workplaces,” she says. “And not just for women – dads need flexible options too.” She’s inspired by the growth of online communities like ‘Connecting Lawyer Mums,’ where women share stories, support, and the occasional meme about legal life.
From pro bono work with Legacy Australia to creating an office environment that feels like home – yes, there’s even a Shiba Inu for emotional support – Katrene prioritises human connection. “Our clients trust us with life’s biggest moments — divorce, death, and moving house. The least we can do for them is show genuine care.”
While family law is deeply human, technology is transforming how firms operate. “We use tools from companies like Smokeball and InfoTrack to streamline admin tasks,” she explains. “The less time we spend on paperwork, the more time we can spend supporting clients.” She’s also collaborating on a new AI-driven tool to help predict case outcomes. “AI won’t replace lawyers, but it can help us be more efficient and better prepared.”
When asked how AI might impact gender bias in law, Katrene says that access to large datasets that can reduce the subjective influence of personal biases is only going to have a positive influence on policy reform, and lead to more equitable practices. “AI can help us reveal patterns of systemic gender bias in court decisions, highlight disparities in parenting arrangements, property settlements, and financial support.” However, she notes, “if AI models are trained on historical case law that reflects gender biases, like favouring mothers in parenting cases or undervaluing women’s financial contributions, those biases will be replicated and perpetuated by AI.”
Katrene Halteh’s story is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of compassionate lawyering. And she’s built more than just a successful practice along the way, she’s created a space where clients feel heard, supported, and empowered to move forward.
Want to see how the right legal technology can help you provide the same clarity and care to your clients? Book a demo today.
